“Isadore,” I said, remembering the sorceress.
Liri grimaced.
“I am sorry she bothered you, my love.”
“You and that Fae witch were lovers,” I said softly, casting my eyes to the ground. This was all so messed up. Five minutes ago I’d been unaware of magic, let alone realms beyond our own populated by faeries, elves, and other mythical creatures.
I thought I was a college student, a theater major, an actor. Malon had delivered on his promise of giving me the life I’d dreamed of before Faerie.
Liri sucked in a breath.
“That was a long time ago.”
“I don’t think she’s over it,” I said.
A heavy silence fell around us. It was hard to believe we’d shared the stage with a full cast in front of an auditorium full of people. Now that my world had been flipped around twice, I could picture sunshine, rolling hills, a pond, and Dahlquist castle beyond the curtains shrouding the stage.
I cleared my throat. “So my mother thinks I was in a coma for five years?”
Liri nodded.
“She’s not with Doug anymore, is she? That part of our history was altered, wasn’t it? Not just our memories?” My heart sped up.
Oh God, please tell me she was truly free of Doug.
“Who is Doug?” Liri asked.
“A very bad man my mom was married to.”
Liri frowned. “Did he hurt her?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Did he hurt you?” Liri asked, his jaw tightening.
Hurt me?
He’d nearly killed me. Doug had beaten me into a damn coma.
But no. That wasn’t true. That was part of the altered memories implanted in my head to explain my five-year absence from Earth.
Doug could have done it though. Even if I’d stuck it out, stayed clean and sober and finished my senior year of high school, I might have never made it to graduation.
I shivered. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I wrapped my arms around my middle. I wanted to get out of this ridiculous dress and into my own clothes.
What were those? Jeans, tank top, hoodie, and a headband? A gown, slippers, and a crown?
Liri hurried over and pulled me into his arms. “Everything will be okay,” he said in a soothing voice. “I’m here. I’ve been here all along.”
Like a guardian angel, I thought wryly. A sexy, dangerous one. As though to prove that point he said, “If this human hurt you, I will snap his neck like this.” Liri snapped his fingers.
I sniffled and shook my head. “If he truly is in jail, let him rot where he belongs. And if he’s gone, let him stay gone.”
“If that is what you want, dear Hensley.” A tear slid down my cheek at the endearment. It felt like a lifetime ago that I’d heard him say it. Liri brushed the tear away with the pad of his thumb, staring at me with his silvery eyes. “I’d do anything for you, my heart. I love you.”
“You love me?” I whispered, staring into those silvery eyes with wonder.
“More than anyone in all the realms.”
My heart expanded, filling my chest with joy. It was true. Liri loved me. The enchantment wouldn’t have been broken otherwise.
“Come,” Liri said, taking my hand in his. “We must tell Jastra the wonderful news. We can return home now.”
My mind flashed over Jastra and all our encounters. She’d behaved herself remarkably, aside from poisoning Dan and Tyler—which had to be her dirty work. Thank goodness she hadn’t killed the poor boys. What bowled me over is that she’d spent her time on Earth helping Liri and me get back together.
I hardly got a chance to savor the moment before a new memory came crashing over my head.
My legs felt heavy as Liri tugged my hand. My lower lip trembled.
Liri turned and frowned. “Hensley, what’s the matter?”
I pulled my hand from his to lift my hair and show him the pattern carved into the back of my neck. Liri sucked in a breath.
“The mark of forgetting,” he breathed.
As the sorceress had cut it into my skin, Malon had gleefully shared what it meant.
If I ever returned to Faerie, I’d lose my memories permanently. No second chances. No winning me back.
Malon wanted Liri to win me over only to discover he either had to give me up or give up the crown.
I could never rule at Liri’s side in Dahlquist.
I was a queen in exile.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Aerith
F
lames jumped from every wall torch, reaching for the high ceiling and glinting over polished armor and grave faces.
Jhaeros and I sat at a small table playing a game of campaigne, neither one of us paying much attention as we took turns moving pieces. We needed something to occupy the time as we awaited Mel’s return.
I had asked for the table and game to be brought inside the throne room—the only room in the castle open to portaling. As such, our guards stood at attention lined up and down the walls.
Now that Folas was patched up, he sat behind me, ready to leap up in an instant.
Jhaeros moved a shrub in front of my archer, not even flinching when I captured his piece and plucked it from the board.
Holding back a sigh, I slid a hand over my belly and left it resting there. My thoughts were on my sister. A royal guard had returned with a message that the ogres were all dead. It still twisted my insides to think of the damage done and five elven lives lost. I was tired of playing queen. I wanted to return home, but fate seemed determined to keep me away.
I wished I had a way to contact Liri and tell him to get his lily-white ass back to Dahlquist immediately.
I didn’t bother wearing a crown. I didn’t want it to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Jhaeros moved his tower, placing it in a vulnerable position. Before I could reprimand him, I felt a kick.
Oh my sky. Was that what I thought it was?
I froze, lips parting, but no breath came through because I was holding absolutely still.
Noticing my change in demeanor, Jhaeros sat up tall and leaned forward. He said nothing, as though I was a fawn he didn’t want to scare off.
I felt the soft kick again.
My jaw dropped on a silent joyful squeal. When I stood up, Folas’s head jerked and he pressed his palms into his seat, preparing to stand.
“I’m all right, Folas,” I said quickly. “I just need a hand with something in the adjoining chamber. Jhaeros, can you please help me?” I lifted my brows at him.
“Of course,” Jhaeros said, already halfway out of his seat before I’d asked.
Folas stood, despite my hint that he should remain seated.
“We will be right back,” I told him firmly.
Folas frowned.
“We’re right next door, and no one can enter that way from outside the castle.” Without waiting for confirmation, I swept away gracefully for a female pregnant at twenty-two weeks.
Jhaeros stepped ahead of me to open the door, holding it as I moved from the crowded throne room to the private adjoining chamber. A soft glow filled the room from a single lantern’s flame. The moment we were alone, I took Jhaeros’s hand and placed it on my belly.
“The baby’s kicking,” I said in a whisper-scream.
Jhaeros’s eyes lit up. He spread his fingers over my bump and pressed softly on my gown.
“Come on, little one. Say ‘hello’ to your father,” I coaxed in a lulling voice.
The baby gave a kick and with it, I saw life return to Jhaeros’s face. His eyes seemed to light up from within as the biggest grin lifted up his cheeks.
A pounding at the door kick-started my heart. We both turned as Galather stuck his head in.
“Is Mel back?” I asked.
“No. Queen Teryani just portaled in.”
Jhaeros and I shared a look. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead before taking a step back.
Duty calls. Again.
“Did she bring Lyklor?” I asked. When Galather grimaced and shook his head, I sighed. “Send her in. You and Folas may escort her, but the rest of the guards are to remain in the throne room in case anyone else attempts an appearance by portal.”
Galather gave a curt nod before disappearing into the adjoining throne room.
“Maybe now I can convince her to send Lyklor over,” I said to Jhaeros. “I’m having this baby in Pinemist whether Liri returns or not. What do you think we should name her?”
“Her?” Jhaeros asked.
“Just a hunch,” I said with a grin.
“Sky help us all if it’s a female.” Jhaeros looked upward, but he wasn’t fooling me with his delighted grin. He’d probably dote on our child as though she was the best thing since sweetberry pie. Our precious little bundle of joy.
I stood on tippy-toes and pressed a kiss onto his lips. His mouth moved over mine slowly and sensually, reaching through me all the way down to my curling toes. I’d expected a quick peck back, but this kiss made me want to bar the door and jump Jhaeros like a rabbit.
The door opened.
Too late.
The thick silver of Teryani’s crown looked like a heavy weight pushing her lips into a frown. She wore a black hooded cloak that opened over a black dress. Teryani nodded at me, and I nodded back.
“What has happened?” she asked. “You sent an urgent message with no details. I’ve been worried sick.”
“You’ve been worried?” I raised a brow.
Galather and Folas folded their arms across their chests and glared at Teryani. I couldn’t see Jhaeros’s expression since he’d moved to my side to face Teryani with me. At one time, he’d worked with her but only to free me. We would always be a team no matter what.
“Ogres attacked Pinemist, and I have an angry mob outside the castle gates courtesy of your cousins.”
Teryani pursed her lips and lifted her head as though she had nothing to do with any of it.
“The mob killed four royal guards.”
That caught Teryani’s attention. Her body jerked, and her eyes flashed. “Dahlquist citizens murdered royal guards?” she asked slowly.
“They would have killed my sister and Folas, too, if we hadn’t reached them in time.”
My poor baby could probably sense the anguish inside me. She no longer kicked. I pictured her curled in the fetal position, waiting for everyone to go away and leave Mommy alone.
“I will send whatever guards I can spare,” Teryani said, turning for the door.
Galather and Folas stepped in front of it, blocking her path.
“You will send Lyklor,” I said.
Slowly, Teryani turned, an amused smile lifting her lips. “I came here alone, in good faith, sister.”
I walked up to her. “And I shall allow you to return to your kingdom regardless of your decision.” I searched Teryani’s blue eyes for understanding. “I cannot stay in Dahlquist forever. I will not. Mel and Ryo have the ogre situation under control. Now it’s time to settle things here. The people want Lyklor as king, at least until Liri returns.”
“And what happens when Liri returns and finds his regent has reassigned the crown?” Teryani asked.
“That is not my concern. It is his kingdom to rule. I suppose he earned it. I stepped in as a favor, but it’s time for me to look out for my own family.”
Teryani frowned. “We are your family.”
“So help me out,” I said, tapping my foot on the ground.
She shook her head. “We cannot simply hand Lyklor the crown. He is unfit to rule.”
“Then send him to me for grooming.”
Teryani snorted. “A wild animal can never be tamed.”
Oh! She was exasperating. Maybe it was true, but I had no way to know so long as she kept him prisoner.
“Would you rather Ryo rule?” I asked.
“Oh no, he is unfit as well.” Teryani lifted her nose.
“Who then?” I demanded. “Sarfina?”
“She’d be even worse than Ryo,” Teryani said. I narrowed my eyes. She wasn’t answering the question. Teryani squared her shoulders and somehow managed to lift her head even higher. “I’m afraid that until Liri returns, it can only be you who rules Dahlquist.”
My stomach squeezed in frustration. I felt like joining my baby in kicking out at the world.
Galather and Folas watched me with hawk eyes, awaiting orders. They’d do anything I wanted, even throw a queen into the dungeons. Teryani was on our turf now.
“Let her go,” I told them.
They stiffened, jaws clenched, holding their positions. Knowing the twins, they’d wait until the last possible second to move aside.
Teryani’s shoulders relaxed, and her gaze softened. She neither smiled nor frowned as she prepared to take her leave.
“This is the best option, and you know it,” she said to me. “Liri chose you to rule in his absence, not Ryo, Sarfina, Lyklor, or even Jastra. He could have ordered her to stay, but he didn’t. You married into a royal family and with that comes duty and responsibility. The kingdom must always come first.”
I was so angry I couldn’t even respond. My words were burning up before they had a chance to fly off my tongue.
“I am sorry for any stress this has caused,” Teryani offered before turning to leave.
Galather and Folas stepped aside at Teryani’s approach. She paused at the door, looking over her shoulder to say, “I will send as many of my guards as I can spare to help quell the mob.”
The intensity of my glare only served to bounce back into my brain where a headache took root. I inhaled and exhaled, taking several steadying breaths after Teryani left the room.
Jhaeros raised a brow.
“Fine, let her keep Lyklor,” I said in a calm voice. “We will crown Ryo, and the people will just have to accept that. You’ve already spent time working with him.”
Jhaeros nodded. “Better to pick the animal we know,” he said.
“He seems quite tame to me,” I said. “And more importantly, loyal.”
Galather and Folas didn’t say anything. Smart guards. Hopefully, they would serve Ryo as diligently as they’d served me. He would need their support.
Jhaeros ran a hand through his hair and cupped the back of his neck, his brows pulling in. “Teryani does raise a valid point. What happens when Liri returns and finds you have crowned his little brother or cousin regent in your stead?”
“Then Ryo can step down, or they can draw straws,” I said, crossing my arms. “Liri abdicated the throne and left us to defend his kingdom while he’s off in the mortal realm romancing a human with amnesia.” Galather snorted then coughed to try and cover it up. “He hasn’t even bothered checking in this past week.” I looked to Folas for confirmation, even knowing he would have told me if Liri had made contact in a dreamscape.
“We’ve had no communication since before the ball,” Galather affirmed. He looked at Folas, who nodded solemnly.
“He’s made his priorities clear—being king isn’t one of them.” I paced in a small circle, shaking my head. “No one seems to want this kingdom, other than Albedo, which is not an option. I don’t care if it’s Liri, Ryo, or Lyklor. One of them must step up. They can share the crown for all I care.”
“Three kings?” Jhaeros raised a brow.
I smirked. The notion was ludicrous but highly amusing. They could take turns since they were all so keen to leave the castle.
I glanced at the door, more impatient than ever for Mel and Ryo’s return. The knob turned as though I’d willed them back to the castle, but it was Teryani who burst in with wide, unblinking eyes.
“I cannot get back to Ravensburg,” she gasped.
We all gaped at her. Hello, karma. Looked like I wasn’t the only one stuck at Dahlquist castle.
I pursed my lips. “What do you mean?”
Teryani wrung her hands.
“My portal blows back on me every time,” she snapped. “Someone has blocke
d all gateways into the castle including mine. That should not be possible. I don’t know how Lyklor did it. I should have killed him when I had the chance.” Teryani clenched her jaw and gave Jhaeros a pointed stare.
I put my hands on my hips.
Oh no. Not a chance. She’d better not ask him to dispose of another Fae royal.
“We don’t know that Lyklor is responsible,” I reasoned. Though it wasn’t easy defending the brother-in-law I’d never met. Mel didn’t think he meant any of us harm, and that was good enough for me. “We know that Albedo and Malon have the help of a Fae sorceress. This sounds more like their work.”
Teryani’s eyes grew wild. “You think they’re at Ravensburg? I left Ella there. I have to get back to her now.” She started for the door as though she intended to charge back to Ravensburg on horseback.
“Wait!” I called, needing to remind her of the mob waiting outside the castle gates. “You can’t go alone.”
Teryani went still, her shoulders sagging. She turned slowly.
“What do you suggest?” she asked, twisting her ring around her finger.
I bit the inside of my cheek and looked at Jhaeros. My mind had gone blank, making me feel blinded. I didn’t know what to do.
Jhaeros moved in closer, placing a gentle, steadying hand at my back. “I’m willing to bet Mel and Ryo are up for the task,” he said. “Liri left us to deal with his problems in Faerie, so let’s take care of them once and for all.”
I leaned back into his hand. Yes, it was a good plan. We couldn’t allow Ravensburg to be overtaken if that was indeed what was happening. If Ryo helped Teryani reclaim her castle, all the better. Maybe she would finally see his potential as a leader. Whoever I left in charge could use the support of the neighboring kingdom.
“We will need to send guards with them and find a way through the mob.” I looked at Teryani. “They wouldn’t dare attack if you led the army out of the castle, would they?”
Before she could answer, Jhaeros leaned forward, chin lifting as he aimed a look at Teryani. “Perhaps if the Queen of Ravensburg told the citizens that she intended to have the guards escort Prince Lyklor back to Dahlquist, they’d be inclined to let them pass.”
False Queen Page 30